Bletchley Park, the iconic site where the allies broke the enemy codes within the turmoil of the Second World War, has finally reached the end of an £8 million restoration process that has seen the unassuming location subjected to more building work than at any time since the height of the War years. An ongoing project that has been carried out over the last year or so, the attention to Bletchley Park means that, from this point onwards, visitors can enjoy this historic location as if it was still a functioning establishment.
Bletchley Park
The secrecy surrounding Bletchley Park has become something of a legend, and until all wartime information was disclosed in the 1970s nobody who worked there could breathe a word about their involvement. As such, the significant role that the Bletchley code-breakers played in the allied victory went without credit for a substantial timeframe, so is it all the more welcome to see Bletchley now painstakingly restored to perfection. This is no luxury renovation project though, but is instead a reflection of the actual conditions within the Second World War.
Although a museum has been running at Bletchley for some years now, this latest project has brought forth a real transformation from a place that has been slowly collapsing in recent times. Opened earlier this week, Nick English, co-founder of the prestigious Bremont watches brand, was on hand to greet the Duchess of Cambridge as she visited the newly finished premises, and it’s expected that this humble monument will now receive even more attention than normal, with visitors now being able to experience the true stories of those who diligently laboured at Bletchley in the past.
Bremont’s Involvement
Luxury British horological brand Bremont has been closely involved with the proceedings at Bletchley for a number of years. They released the Codebreaker limited edition watch in 2013 to support the renovation, and a percentage of all the proceeds from these prestigious chronometers was donated towards the repair work.
In turn, Bremont were permitted to use traces of actual historical artefacts from Bletchley Park (including authentic pine, paper and the wheel from an actual Enigma machine [seen above]) within each Codebreaker, leading to each and every timepiece becoming highly notable in both a mechanically engineered and historical sense. The Codebreaker certainly worked wonders for raising the profile of the Bletchley House project, and these hugely sought-after watches are now in great-demand.
The Bremont Codebreaker
Each Bremont Codebreaker features a distinctive Flyback Chronograph GMT automatic movement that is inspired by the watches of traditional 40’s officers, whilst the rotor balance is based upon the aesthetics of the ‘Bombe machine’; the decoding device developed by Alan Turing that foiled German Enigma codes. Twin versions were made, and they are exceptionally hard to obtain, but both of these superb chronometer-certified watches are still available from Banks Lyon.
The stainless steel Codebreaker was produced in an exclusive run of 240 pieces, and is a gloriously stylish chronometer that you could easily envision being worn upon the wrists of the code breakers themselves. The limited edition Bremont Codebreaker stainless steel watch retails at £11,995, and only a single example of this peerless wristwatch is left to order from Banks Lyon, so although your opportunity to own this wristwatch hasn’t passed, it inevitably soon will do.
The second Codebreaker is even more elusive, being crafted out of 18 carat rose gold in a limited run of just 50 watches. The magnitude of the work carried out at Bletchley Park in the Second World War rather makes you run out of superlatives, but this Codebreaker watch is a fitting testament to these astonishing exploits nonetheless. Retailing at £21,950, you can still register your interest in this magnificent limited edition Bremont Codebreaker rose gold watch by contacting the Banks Lyon team today. Call 01524 38 48 58 or email [email protected] and we’ll be pleased to assist with your enquiry.
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